The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower].

  • Boutflower, Charles, 1782-1844.
Date:
[1912]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    38/192 (page 34)
    [1810] Majr. A. (with whom I have messed during the whole of [Jan.] March) is in the House of the Bishop of Guarda, who fre- quently resides here. He is a man of the most dignified deportment and of a truly liberal Mind. He supplies us with the most sumptuous Breakfasts and Dinners, and insists that we shall not procure a single Article as long as we remain in this place. The House may more properly be called his Nephew’s, who is a Colonel in the Portugueze Service. The Dinners are cooked by the Wife of the latter, who evinces the utmost anxiety lest they should not be dressed according to our liking. The Bishop’s chief Servant lived a great many years with an English Merchant in Lisbon, by which means he is of infinite use in directing the good Lady how to serve up a dinner a la Mode Anglaise. Jan. 16. As there was yesterday no probability of our soon quitting this place, and our good Friend the Bishop still insisted upon supplying our Table, I determined, notwithstand- ing the kind manner in which he pressed me to continue, to secede from his House, and eat my Mutton Chop in my own Quarters, which resolution 1 accordingly put into execution. An Order however is just arrived for us to be in readiness to march at a Moment’s Notice, and it is hinted we shall proceed to our original destination (Celerico) the Day after to-morrow. This place is about two hundred and fifty miles from Olivenza, and Celerico is about twelve Miles from hence. The Weather during our March was with the exception of one Day extremely fine. Since our arrival here it has almost constantly rained. To-day however it has cleared up, and promises to be fine. We may therefore be considered as extremely fortunate. The Enemy are advancing; their Out Posts and our own are now very near each other. We may daily expect to hear of skirmishing, which must soon be followed by a general Engagement. The late Move of the Army has contributed very much to decrease the Sickness that so generally prevailed in it before.